Rope-computing machine.



G. A. BENBOW.

ROPE COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION :ILED MAY 8, 1908.

936,078. Patented 00115, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/irresse; nrenfor- My i f g JH I C. A. BENBOW.

ROPE COMPUTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8. 1908 936,078. Patented 00t.5,1909.

2 SBEETS-SHEET 2.

Wnnesses. lnvenior" rope computing machines in which the rope UNITEDSTATES PATENT enrich.-

CHARLES a IBENBOW, or PORTLAND, caisson.

ROPE-COMPUTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

To all whom it may conce n:

Be it known that I, Crmnnns A. BENBow, a citizen'of he United States,residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah' and State of Ore on,have invented a new and useful Ropeomputing Machine, of which thefollowing is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in is pulled through between twosheaves and by reason of the passage of the re the sheaves are caused torotate a series of; afts connecting these sheaves with a graduatedrotating drum having attached to it a series of strips of thin material.A. series of levers is so arranged that the smaller of each set ofsheaves may be raised or lowered and thereby cause the rope to he heldfirmly between them and this causes the sheaves to revolve as the ropeis pulled through the machine.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in Which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodyingthe invention; Fig. 2 is a cross section through the machine, showingthe arrangement of the sheaves, and how the lever operates for engagingand dis-engaging the two sheaves in connection with the rope. This isthe type that is used on the larger rope. Fig. 3 is a cross sectionthrough the machine also, sho. the method of raising and lowering thesma er sheave. This is the type that is used on the smaller rope Ac tualpractice has shown that the two different types of sheaves are necessaryfor the different sizes of ropes. Fig. 4 is the view illustrating thetype of sheave used as shown in the cross section of Fig. 3.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1 is the casing of the machine.

2 is the casing of the drum or cylinder in which the drum which containsthegraduations revolves.

3 are the openings through which the rope is drawn after passing throughbetween the sheaves.

4 is a corrugated sheave or roller which I prefer to make in two partsand thenfasten them together, having corrugations on and around theinner face as shown in Fig. 4. This form is used on the smaller forms ofrope. 5 is another form of sheave or roller and is to be used on thelarger rope; this is to be made of pressed metal, in two parts andhaving holes pressed out, when made, as shown at 18.

6 is the shaft on which all the lower sheaves are journaled. Qn the endof shaft 6 is a Worm 7 which meshes with the Worm wheel 8; this is keyedto shaft 9 and as shaft 9 is caused to rotate, it transmits its rotationto beveled gear 16 which in turn meshes with and causes to rotate bevelgear 11. When this revolves, shaft 12 also rotates.

13 is a one way friction clutch so that when shaft 12 is the drivingshaft the clutch operates and transmits its motion to shaft 14, but inthe event that 14 is the driving shaft, or should be caused to rotate,there is no transmission of rotation to shaft 12.

15 are the graduated strips upon which the feet, the weight, the price,and the amount is stamped for each size of rope.

In order to simplify the construction it is necessary that the sheavesbe not rigidly he ed, or otherwise fastened to the shaft 6, ut that afriction clutch be used instead. This is accomplished by arms 16 Fig. 2and 17 Fig. 3;- so long as the sheave is driving the arms will grip theshaft, but as soon as the shaft becomes the driver thesheave does not ofnecessity turn, or but one size of rope can be. drawn from the machineat one time.

18 are the holes in the sheave to be used on the larger sizeof rone.

195 represents the rope to be drawn through the larger sizes.

24 is the. tuhethrongh which the rope is drawn and-is cut out as shownso that the sheaves may come in contact with the rope.

21 is the smaller sheave that comes in contact with the row on the upperside.

22 isa guide that is journaleol to the shwve by means of axle 5.6.

2'3 is a Slot in the guide and is to allow for the small amount ofvariation in the sizes of the rope.

% is a shaft that passes through the slot 23.

25' is. an arm that allows for the shifting of guide 2% 7 26 is a. stepthat limits the upward movegent of the arm 25.

2? is a support for a spring 26 that conmeets arm 25 with support 2'2.

3& is a pawi and is for the purpose or? keeping the rope in place whenit is drawn out and out ofi-thus not permitting the rope to recede backthrough the machine out of reach.

31 is a roller over which rope passes on its way to the machine and 28is the bracket which holds it in place.

47 is the case through ropes pass.

34 is the rope.

35 is the lever by the operation of which the smaller sheaves 46 arelowered and hence brings the rope in contact with the larger sheave 4.36 is the axial bearing about which it turns.

37 is a slot in arm of 35 and is for the passage of 38 when it isdesired to lower the case 47. 39 is the axis about which it will turnand 40 is the link that connects 38 and 39.

41 is a band that encircles the case 47 to the 2 lower end of which isfastened a spring 42.

43 1s a bracket that secures thespring 42 to the case of the mechanism.When the lever 35 is raised this permits the lowering of the case 47because the bearing will pass down the slot 37 due to the action of thespring 42.

44 is a brace that secures the sheave 46 to the case 47.

which the smaller is the journal bearing which passes through the brace44 as well as through the sheave 46.

48 is a small turn-up at the end of the case 47 and through it passesthe pin 53this allows for the small raising and lowerin of the case 47when the lever 35 is operate 49 is a bracket that is fastened to theback of the frame and through it passes the,

journal 51 upon which turns the roller 50.

52 is the metal strip that is fastened to the outside drum 2 havingmarked upon it the different sizes of rope as shown, these beingdirectly over the strips containing the graduations. As the rope iswithdrawn the number of feet appear in space 56; the Wei ht in space 57and the amount for the di erent prices in space 55.

54 and 58 are small springs that cause the clutches 16 and 17 to operateupon the enlargements of shaft 6 as 59.

It will be apparent that an essential feature of the present inventionresides broadly in the provision of a pair of grooved rope feedingrollers between which each size of rope passing through the machine isadapted to be fed, one of said rollers being mounted for movement towardand from the other.

roller, whereby upon adjustment of the movable roller sufliclentfriction is caused between said rollers and the rope to effect thedesired operation of the computing mechanism. The airs of rollers whichare employed for ceding the rope are adapted'for relative adjustment byindependent or separate devices, this being necessarydn order 'that thecomputing mechanism may be operated by one pair of feeding rollers,without being affected any way by the mounting or arrangement of thevarious other pairs of rollers between which the other sizes of ropepass.

The shaft 24 is suitably mounted in the casing of the machine andsupports the upper sheaves of the several pairs aforesaid, each of saidupper sheaves belng adapted for vertical movement independently of theother sheaves by reason of the provision of passes. The part 24 ispractically a pivotal connection between the levers 25 mounted thereonand the casing. As before described the cylinders 47 are provided asguides for the rope passing through the machine and when the levers 35are operated the cylinders 47 may be raised and lowered b reason of zthe slot 23 through which the shaft 24 being pivoted at 53 to a wall 0the casing I sheave toward the adjacent lower sheave whereby the latterhas suiiicient frictional contact with the rope to cause turning oftheshaft 6. When the shaft 6 is rotated the motion thereof is transmittedthrough suitable gearing before described so that the shaft 14 willrotate and turn the computingdrum or cylinder.

Any suitable computing indicia is provided 'upon the computing cylinderand as illustrated in the drawings it will be apparent that if one andone-eighth inch rope is being drawn from the machine, assuming thatthree feet of said rope is to be sold, the computing cylinder willindicate that the said rope will weigh five pounds. If the grade of ropesells at eight cents a pound, five pounds will cost forty cents as notedby numerals on the cylinder, or if the grade of rope sells at six centsa pound the cylinder will disclose that the cost price is thirty cents.

Should it be desired at any time to elevate the sheave 21 fromcontactwith the rope attached to the machine, the lever 25 is presseddownwardly at its outer end and the spring 20 which normally holds saidlever in the position shown in Fig. 2 will then cause the ends of thelever carrying the sheave 21 to combination of computing mechanism, ropeaaaovs feeding mechanism embodying a'plurality of sheaves operablyConnected with the computing mechanism and adapted for contact with therope passing through the machine, and independent devices cooperatingwith said sheaves to cause operative contact of the various grades ofrope passing through the machine with the sheaves, whereby movement ofrope through the machine may turn one sheave independently of the otherand thereby actuate the computing mechanism.

2. In a machine of the class described the combination of computingmechanism, a

plurality of pairs of sheaves so arranged as to permit various grades ofrope to pass between the sheaves of each pair, means operably connectingone of the sheaves with the computing mechanism, independent operatinglevers connected with the other sheaves to move the same into positionscausing operative contact of the rope with the first mentioned sheaves,and means supporting said operating levers and permitting independentactuation thereof.

In a machine of the class described the combination of computingmechanism, rope feeding mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs ofsheaves between each pair of which various grades of rope may pass inbeing fed from the machine; a shaft supporting the'lowermost sheaves ofeach pair, said lowermost sheaves being loosely mounted on said shaft,means connecting the shaftwith the computing mechanism, means foroperably connecting each lower sheave with the shaft when said sheave isturned as rope passes through the machine, whereby the shaft is operableby each lower sheave independently of the other sheave, and means forindependent operation of the upper sheaves to cause rope adjacentthereto to be thrown into operative contact with the adjacent lowersheave.

. 4. in a machine of the class described, the

crating contact of said roller with the rope and actuation of thecomputing mechanism, and means normally tending to hold the bodilymovable roller out of the aforesaid cooperative relation with regard tothe adjacent roller.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of computingmechanism,ineluding a registering scale, rope feeding means embodying aseries of pairs of rollers between each pair of which rope of a certainsize is adapted to be fed, one roller of each pair being rotatable abouta permanent axis and being operably connected with the computingmechanism, the other roller of each pair being bodily movable towardand-from the first mentioned roller to cause operative engagement of thefirst mentioned roller with the rope adjacent thereto, a lever foreffecting bodily movement of the movable roller above referred to, andspring means normally tending to hold the bodily movable roller in aposition permitting free passage of rope between the various rollerswithout operation of the computing mechanism.

CHARLES A. BENBOW. Witnesses:

En. W. GRANT, Mrs, T omas BILYEU.

YDISCLAIMER.

936,078. UluzrZesA. Benbow, Portland, Oreg. ROPE-COMPUTING MACHINE.Patent dated October 5, 1909. Disclaimer filed April 27, 1922, by theassignee, Grand Rapids Show (Jase 0o.

Enters this disclaimerv To that part of the description and to that partof the claim in said specification which is in. the following words, onpage 2, lines 117 to 125, inclusive, of the printed copy of the patent,to wit: i I

Should it be desired at any time to elevate the sheave 21 from contactwith the rope attached to the machine, the lever 25 is ressed downwardlyat its outer end and the spring 2O which normally holds said lever inthe position shown in Fig. 2 will then cause the ends of the levercarrying the sheave 21 to be slightly elevated and rest against themember 22.

And also claim 5 of the patent, to wit: 7 I

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of computingmechanism, including a registering scale, rope feeding means embodying aseries of pairs of rollers between each pair of which rope of a certainsize is adapted to be fed, one roller of each pair being rotatable abouta permanent axis and being operably connected with the computingmechanism, the other roller of each pair being bodily movable toward andfrom the-first mentioned roller to cause operative engagementof thefirst mentioned roller with the rope adjacent thereto, a: lever 'forefi'ecting bodily movement of the movable roller above referred to, and

spring means normally tending to hold the bodily movable roller in aposition permitting free passage of rope between the various rollerswithout operation of the computing mechanism.

[Ofiioial Gazette May 9, 1.922.] M

